At first, I thought this trim piece would keep water out of the door when driving in the rain, but now I'm not so sure it will do that job particularly well. Still- it's the "window scraper" molding for the side windows, and the old ones are shot. I thought I'd share some pictures...

old piece, profile view


old piece, it's pretty beat up


beltline, new part from Steele Rubber Products, part #70-1120-61. It's 6 foot lengths.

The new part is not a finished part all set up and ready to install, but it is the correct style "window scraper" for my 1964 Dynamic 88 convertible. I started by pulling the door panel because I thought I would have to remove the window mechanism completely to get the old molding out. There's a screw at each end, and I assumed screws all along the entire length, but that isn't the case. I was actually able to remove the 2 screws (one at each end) without removing the window. Then I carefully used a screwdriver to push down on the beltline at each clip location. I was able to release the clips, then pull the beltline out from the rear side of the door.


Removed, this is the beltline trim clip still attached to the trim, from the outside of the trim- the side you don't see until you remove it.

This is the same clip as you would see it if you looked from the inside of the car while the trim is still installed.

This is the location of the clip, after the clip is removed. Little teeth pinch the rubber on the inside at the top of the clip, and another set of teeth wrap around the bottom.

This is the clip and the 4 little teeth that hold it to the beltline trim.

So my first problem is, can I get this clip to grab the new trim piece the same way it was installed from the factory? Can I use an epoxy to attach it? Should I just clip the trim to the door by holding the trim in place and pushing the clip over the trim and the lip of the door? What is the best way to attach this clip to the new trim piece, and then get the new trim on the door properly? I'm not sure yet- and I welcome suggestions, especially from anyone who has done this before.


This is what I call the "window block". It's at the back edge of the door, and I believe it acts as a guide to keep the trailing edge of the window in place, so it fits against the rear quarter window properly. The rear trim screw goes through the middle hole. The front and rear holes had rivets to hold the block to the beltline trim.

I need to attach this block to the new trim piece. I could try a rivet like the factory, or an epoxy might work because there's a screw in the middle. Maybe a good epoxy and the screw combined is all I need to properly attach this block to the trim. It might be neater and easier than rivets or screws.

That's how far I got today. I can post pictures of the door card removal process when I do the other door, and of course when I get the new trim piece cut to length and shaped and assembled, I'll take pictures of the finished part, and then more of the install process. I think I said that I didn't have to take out the window to get the trim out, but I think I'm going to have to do that to get the new piece in. The window glass is in the way and it'll be difficult if not impossible to get up int here and fit this piece correctly with the window in my way.

More pictures to come as I progress, and if anyone has done this and can offer a tip, I'm open to suggestions.

 

Progress today- I cut and shaped the piece for the passenger door, attached the "window block" and made a decision about the clips...


the front of the trim piece has a small bend where it meets the vent window.

I attached the "window block" with gorilla glue and screws, and ground down the back side where the screws would protrude...

clean and neat.

The clips are a problem. The pins aren't long enough to grab like I want. I just think they'll fail, and gorilla glue, epoxy.. I have no confidence in a chemical bond. I want something mechanical- a screw, something. Here's my solution. I'll use the clips, but I'm going to clip around the trim piece and the door edge. No reason to attach the clip to the back of the trim and trust in God and chemistry to believe they won't just come apart. Instead, I'll sandwich the trim piece and the door edge together, and use the clips to make sure they stay that way.


old clip and modified clip. I snapped off the pointy ends that could scratch things.

Next, I'll put the clip on the trim piece

I'll just let the clip hold the trim to the door edge.


Maybe I'll use a bit of silicone or some adhesive between the door edge and the beltline trim. I'm starting to think I can do this without removing the window assembly- that would be a big win, and grant some value to this post. It would save people a lot of work- myself included.

 

With a little luck, I can finish this piece tomorrow, and get it installed. It really doesn't have to be more than a couple hour's work to complete from start to finish, but it's really cold out and my barn is crammed with lawn equipment and motorcycles which makes working on the car more clumsy than it should be. I busted up my knee pretty good when I fell on the ice a couple weeks ago. It's hard getting around, and even harder to bend it. That's my excuse for taking days to complete what could have been done in an afternoon.

I took" down the "knee with 9 stitches" picture. It was hard to look at, and adds no value.

 

Finished the passenger door beltline trim. It's best to remove the window- working around it is harder than taking it out. I'll post the process when I do the drivers side, now that I've done it once.


wrap at the vent window

before picture, the old part

after picture, the new part installed

finish at the back edge, interior panel not installed